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Contact Information
Kenneth K. Koch, [email protected]/
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From an Olive Green " Composition Book" Written by William Swan to his son Ambrose R. Swan December 28, 1921.
The "Composition Book" 8.5"x6.75" was given to me by James McCauley Blanz. Mr. Blanz obtained the book and other records of Lawrence Garland Swan's when his Aunt Lousie McCauley Swan died. Lousie McCauley Swan was my Great Aunt, younger sister of my Grandmother Edna McCauley Randolph.
The Following covers three pages written in ink.
"William Guveall Swan, a son of Charles William and Agnes Ann Swan was born in Madison County on Mar 21" 1841. On June 16, 1858-Left the home of parents, going to Waynesboro Augusta County, Va. To assist Mr George Alexander Bruce a friend of my father in the milling business. My father having Sold his mill, But continued farming. I found that a nice little town of 5 or 6 hundred inhabitance. The Bruce family a good one. Consisting of parents. George Alexander and Sarha Ann Bruce and 3 children 2 Boys and one girl Robert, Bettie & Thomas.
We were getting along nicely and happily when in the spring of 1861_ The Civil War broke out between the North and South. The older Bruce boy Robert and W. G. Swan Joined the Southern Army. The Waynesboro Guards Co. B "52" Regiment Va Infantry. We went through many a hard fought battle. Not wounded until 30" May 1864. Our mess consisting of 4. Robert Bruce Asbury Myers, George Miller and W. G. Swan. Went into battle 3 were killed. Swan with others captured. We were Sent to Point Lookout Md. There one month. Then Sent to Almira Ky Prison. The war closed in April 1865. We were liberated on June 30" of that year. W. G. Swan returned to Waynesboro and resumed milling business. In 1866 The Presbyterian Church of the Town had occasion to appoint a committee of young ladies to Solicit contributions in aid of the church. Among the rest came a charming young lady to the mill to see what could be done for the church.
So soon after the close of the war. There was but little to $ pices in circulation. But I had Some drawing one of those Large Silver dollars from my pocket presented To the young lady. She received it with many a bow an smile and Soon departed. When not far away She took a Small stone and threw at me. I thought that a strange manner in which to return Thanks I had been in the habit of returning good for evil and did so in this case and let her depart in peace. But made up my mind to find out something about the rock throwing and accordingly Soon Called at her home. I found out nothing, and presumed it was a kind of love throwing rock.
Little did I think at that time that charming young lady would become Mrs. W. G. Swan. But Such turned out to be the case."
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Three blank pages then this entry:
" W G Swan and Anna Lee Reeder were married in Waynesboro Va.
June 4" 1868 at the Reeder home by Rev. William T. Richardson a
Presbyterian preacher in that Town for a number of years."
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Also found this poem.
Be Seated please
and make your Self at ease
A little story I will tell
Which ended well
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was about noon
on the 4" of June
Way back in 1868
When we Sealed our fate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One was Anna Lee
and the other W G
We were made one
The journey of life to run
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parson on hand
Had taken his stand
But looked a little funny
until he Saw the money
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then he Smiled
and made us one
out we filled
and the journey began
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We then ate a bit
and said goodby
We Knew We Were right
and heaved not a sigh
~~~~~~~~
Additional Historical Note reference; May 30th 1864 52nd Regiment Virginia Infantry:
Full Battle Record
Please cite results as coming from: Record of Events Database, Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War, Virginia Center for Digital History http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/ vshadow2/mapdataForm.html.
Battle: Bethesda Church
State: Va.
Regiment: 52nd Va. Inf.
Start Date: 28-May-1864
End Date: 30-May-1864
Commander: Col. James H. Skinner
Brigade: Pegram's
Division: Early's
Corps: Second
Strength: n.a.
Killed: 38
Wounded: 52
Missing: 26
Summary: Bethesda Church was the bloodiest battle of the war for the 52nd Va. Infantry. The regiment charged across the field towards the enemy. The enemy poured volley after volley into the Confederate lines, creating great gaps in the ranks.
Georgetown Weather: 5-28-1864, 69.5 (0700), 82 (1400), 64 (2100); 5-29-1864, 61.5 (0700), 70.5 (1400), 62 (2100); 5-30-1864, 65 (0700), 84 (1400), 71 (2100)
Local Weather: 5-27-1864, "It was very warm and showery during the day;" 5-28-1864, "It was quite warm and rained in the p.m." 5-29-1864, The day was quite warm; 5-30-1864, The day was very warm. (Hotchkiss)
Ken Koch, Member of the Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild
[email protected]